Sul Ross Headed to Division II: What Does This Mean for SRSU Athletes?
By Dawson Beard, Skyline Desk Chief
ALPINE - Sul Ross State University will be transitioning from the Division III American Southwest Conference to the Division II Lone Star Conference during the Fall 2024 semester.
What exactly does this transition mean for the hundreds of current, and future, SRSU student-athletes?
The move to NCAA Division II means that Sul Ross will now be able to offer athletic scholarships to recruits, something that is not permitted in NCAA Division III. This means that for the first time since 1976, the last time Sul Ross was an NCAA Division II school, athletes’ tuition can be paid, not just by academic scholarships, but athletic scholarships as well. This will ease the burden of tuition costs for Sul Ross’ student-athletes.
"We'll be attracting more students who will be able to continue to participate in sports after high school,” Amanda Workman, Sul Ross State University’s athletic director, said. “The ability to contribute to a student-athlete’s education monetarily is very meaningful to me.”
Exact details about scholarship allocation by sport are not known at this time, but Division II programs function on a partial scholarship model, and there are maximum allocations for each sport by which all schools must abide.
The transition also presents SRSU athletes with better travel opportunities. One of the biggest complaints made by Sul Ross athletes is that the travel schedule conflicts too much with their academic schedule, and conference opponents are too far away, leading to long and uncomfortable bus rides. Conference opponents in the Lone Star Conference are much closer to Alpine and offer much better regional exposure for Sul Ross athletes.
“I am hopeful that this transition will alleviate some stress for students both mentally and physically,” Workman said.
While staffing changes within the Sul Ross athletic department are not required for the transition, Workman said current employees will be taking over new positions when the transition is complete. However, details about these changes are being worked out and therefore, not yet available.
The transition to NCAA Division II will provide SRSU student-athletes many more opportunities in their sports and in the classroom. President Carlos Hernandez hopes these opportunities help to advance university goals.
“Our primary goal is to improve enrollment and retention by creating an unforgettable student experience. We know that athletic competition is a driver in the choice students make about higher education," Hernandez said.